Carla Uy is a Selkirk College graduate and a research intern with Selkirk Innovates, where she works across design, product development and advanced manufacturing to help clients turn ideas into practical, effective solutions for their businesses.
Hands-On Learning for Career Readiness
Working on real projects with industry‑standard machines and materials in Selkirk College’s Digital Fabrication and Design (DFAB) Program gave Carla the hands‑on experience and practical skills she needed to advance her career.
How long have you been working as a research intern with Selkirk Innovates? Can you share some of your favourite projects?
I have been working with Selkirk Innovates since graduating from the DFAB Program at Selkirk College in May 2024.
One of the projects that stood out to me was collaborating with the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada and the Okanagan Nation Alliance on improving bat habitats in areas where old-growth trees once used for natural roosting have been lost to logging.
We worked on developing locally produced roosting structures that are more affordable and easier to install. Along with refining an existing design, we created Mini-Bark, a product that can be installed on young, live trees and provides different cavity sizes for tree-roosting bat species in the Columbia Basin.
Projects like this are very rewarding because they combine design, fabrication and problem-solving to create something that meets both client needs and environmental goals.
What stood out to you about the Digital Fabrication and Design Program?
What stood out to me most was how hands-on the program was. We were not only learning design theory but also working directly with machines, materials and real projects.
The program taught me the full product development process from design and prototyping to testing and refinement, which gave me the confidence to take on more complex and meaningful work.
How have your studies and internship supported your career goals? What do you hope comes next in your career?
My studies and my work at Selkirk Innovates helped me transition from working mostly on my own creative projects to helping clients develop solutions for their ideas.
Moving forward, I hope to continue working in design, product development and advanced manufacturing while learning new technologies and contributing to innovative projects that make a positive impact in the community.
What would you say to people who are interested in studying at Selkirk College and/or working with Selkirk Innovates?
I would highly recommend the DFAB Program to anyone who enjoys creating, problem-solving and working with both technology and hands-on fabrication. It gives you practical skills that can be applied in many different fields, and it really builds your confidence to take on bigger projects.
Working with Selkirk Innovates is also a great opportunity because you get to be involved in real projects with industry and community partners. It’s a very supportive environment where you can continue learning, experimenting and developing your skills even after finishing the program.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Before taking the DFAB program, I ran a custom painting business where I learned airbrushing and different finishing techniques. This ended up being very useful during the program, since most projects were painted using spray cans, which could be limiting.
I was able to share my experience with my classmates and help teach basic airbrushing to other DFAB students in later cohorts.
It was a great opportunity to contribute something from my own background and be part of the collaborative environment that makes the program unique.